Lilia Ann Abron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lilia Ann Abron
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| Born | March 8, 1945 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Education | LeMoyne–Owen College (BS) Washington University in St. Louis (MS) University of Iowa (PhD) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur Chemical Engineer |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Known for | First African American woman to be awarded a PhD in chemical engineering |
Lilia Ann Abron (born March 8, 1945) is an American businesswoman and a chemical engineer. In 1972, she made history. Dr. Abron became the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemical engineering. This is a very high-level university degree.
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Lilia Abron's Early Life
Lilia Ann Abron was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the second of four daughters. She was born early, at home. Her aunt had to rush her to the hospital in a taxi. At that time, ambulances were not available for African Americans.
Her parents were both teachers. They had attended LeMoyne College. Her father, Ernest Buford Abron, was injured playing football. This meant he could not serve in World War II. He worked as a Pullman porter and later became a teacher. Lilia's mother, Bernice Wise Abron, was a typist from Arkansas. She typed legal papers for Wiley A. Branton. He was the lawyer for the Little Rock Nine.
Lilia's parents were Baptists. She was baptized when she was nine years old. She was active in Girl Scouts. She also sang in the junior choir at her church.
Abron went to a public school. She was placed in the school's math and science classes. After finishing high school in Memphis, she decided to study medicine.
Lilia Abron's Education Journey
Abron studied at LeMoyne-Owen College. She received a scholarship to help pay for school. But she lost it after her first year because her grades were not high enough. She then changed her major from biology to chemistry. In 1966, Abron earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in chemistry. She graduated with honors from LeMoyne-Owen College.
Her advisor at LeMoyne-Owen, Dr. Bueler, suggested she study engineering. She also credits Dr. Juanita Williamson. Dr. Williamson was an English Professor at LeMoyne-Owen. She was also an African American woman who inspired Lilia to continue her education. Abron was offered a full scholarship from Washington University in St. Louis. She would study sanitary engineering. This scholarship was paid for by the Public Health Service.
Washington University was very different for her. It was her first time living away from home. She was one of only two women in a large class. Most of her classmates were white men. She finished her entire master's degree in just thirteen months. She graduated in 1968 with an MS in Environmental Engineering. While at Washington University, Abron decided she wanted to work in universities. She gained experience by working in her professors' labs.
After graduating, Abron found it hard to get a job as an environmental engineer. She worked for one year as an environmental chemist. This was at the Kansas City water department. Then she worked for another year as a research environmental chemist. This was at the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Chicago.
She started her PhD in September 1968. This was at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She studied in the civil engineering department. Her supervisor was Dr. Rolfe Skrimbee. When he moved to the University of Iowa, she moved with him. However, Dr. Skrimbree left the University of Iowa before Abron finished her research. So, she completed her degree in chemical engineering in 1972. Her new supervisor was James O. Osburn.
She was the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemical engineering. She was also only the third woman to get a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa. Her research focused on reverse osmosis. Her thesis was about removing chemicals like DDT from water.
Lilia Abron's Engineering Career
Dr. Abron became an assistant professor of civil engineering. This was at Tennessee State University starting in 1971. From 1973, she was also an assistant professor of environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University. In 1975, she moved to Howard University. There, she was an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. At the same time, she worked at Washington Technical Institute. This institute is now part of the University of the District of Columbia.
Dr. Abron is a licensed professional engineer. She is a member of several important groups. These include the Water Environment Federation, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Water Works Association. She also serves on the Engineering Advisory Board for the National Science Foundation.
In 2004, she was chosen as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2020, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. This was for her leadership in providing sustainable housing and environmental solutions. These solutions were used in the United States and South Africa. She was also inducted into Tau Beta Pi, a top engineering honor society. She is also recognized as a History Maker®.
Dr. Abron gave a TED talk in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Her talk was about organizing to break the cycle of energy poverty in Memphis.
In 2020, Dr. Abron was re-inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). She received the highest honor from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). This was the Distinguished Member, Class of 2021. In January 2021, she became president of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES). In March 2024, she was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).
Founding PEER Consultants, P.C.
In 1978, Abron started her own company. It was called PEER Consultants, P.C. She became its president and CEO. She was the first African-American to start an engineering consulting firm. This firm focused on environmental issues. It dealt with concerns related to both the natural world and human communities.
PEER offers many services. These include engineering and construction management. They also provide environmental management and sustainability services. And they offer advice and consulting. PEER's main office is in Washington, D.C. They also have offices in Baltimore, Maryland, Burlington, Massachusetts, and Clearwater, Florida. This helps them serve clients across the U.S. Since 1978, the company has focused on finding smart and lasting solutions. They help clients with tough environmental problems.
With her company, Abron showed that sustainable practices can greatly improve living conditions. This is especially true in poorer parts of the world. In 1995, Abron helped start PEER Africa Pty. (Ltd.). Its goal was to build energy-efficient homes in South Africa after apartheid. Abron received a United Nations award for her work. This was for developing low-cost, energy-efficient housing. The company worked on projects all over Africa. This included South Africa, Mali, Uganda, and Nigeria.
PEER has also worked on many Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects. They teamed up with the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (BBUWP). This group works to fix unequal access to sanitation in rural Alabama.
Lilia Abron's Personal Life
Abron is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She often gives talks about energy and the environment. She is very active in promoting science education. Through her company, she offers money to students who participate in science fairs. PEER staff are encouraged to work with students in their local schools. Abron herself also guides and teaches students.
She says the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson inspired her. This book made her want to join the environmental movement.
Abron is a Christian. She began a three-year term as a deacon at The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. on June 17, 2018. Before that, she was president of the Washington, D.C., chapter of Jack and Jill for America. She also plays the hand bells in the Angelus church choir.
Abron has three sons and six grandchildren. Only one of her grandchildren is a girl.
Honors and Awards
- William W. Grimes Award for Excellence in Chemical Engineering from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 1993
- Admission to the Engineering Distinguished Alumni Academy at the University of Iowa, 1996
- Hancher-Finkbine Alumni Medallion from the Finkbine Society of the University of Iowa, 1999. This award is for learning, leadership, and loyalty to the university.
- Induction into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, 1999
- Magic Hands Award by LeMoyne-Owen College, May 2001
- Alumni Achievement Award, Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2001
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2004
- Superior Achievement from American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists, 2012
See also
In Spanish: Lilia Ann Abron para niños
